Second 'miracle' attributed to Blessed John Henry Newman under investigation by Vatican

Canonization would make him the first English saint since 1970, first British saint since 1976

Declared
one of the great intellectual minds of the Catholic Church,
Victorian-era Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman may be closer to
sainthood. A second miracle attributed to him is under investigation by
the Vatican. Canonization would make Newman the first English saint
since 1970, and the first British saint since 1976.

Rare photo of Victorian-era Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, who may now be closer to sainthood.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Archdiocese of Chicago investigated the miraculous healing of a young American mother, who prayed for Newman's intercession after she suffered a "life-threatening pregnancy."

Doctors say they have no explanation for the sudden and complete recovery of the woman, who is a law graduate. The incident has been referred to the Causes of Sainthood. If Vatican theologians and doctors conclude the healing is a divine sign, the Pope will be invited to weigh in on the case.

Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley said it was a "great joy" to know that the Cause was making progress.

"Blessed Cardinal Newman has left an extraordinarily rich spiritual legacy - not least through the two Oratory communities in Birmingham and Oxford - as well as to the Church nationally and internationally," Archbishop Longley said.

"It would be a great joy to see him take a step closer to being named among the saints and would be an encouragement to all who have been inspired by him seek the truth by seeking Christ.

"At the same time, and especially during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I am sure that Blessed John Henry Newman would want us to continue praying for the canonization of Blessed Dominic Barberi."

Barberi was a Passionist priest, "Who first enabled him to receive the Sacrament of mercy at his reception into full communion with the Catholic Church at Littlemore in 1845 and who gave him a new insight into the merciful love of God."

Two healing miracles are normally required for a candidate to be declared a saint.

The first miracle attributed to Newman involved the miraculous healing of Jack Sullivan, an American that had nine years earlier recovered from a crippling spinal condition. Newman was beatified in Cofton Park, Birmingham, by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

The Congregation later dismissed an earlier alleged healing of a baby in Mexico at Newman's intercession. The Vatican is refusing to disclose details about the latest case presently.

If the latest case passes scrutiny, it will clarify the international reputation of Cardinal Newman as one of the most distinguished Englishmen of his generation.